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AfroCubans: Race & Identity in Cuba
There is an increasing focus on race & identity in Cuba, from both within and outside the island. Here we present some resources and references on issues relating to AfroCubans as these are complex and often poorly understood. We will be adding to this and welcome suggestions.

Some observers estimate that over 70% of the Cubans inside Cuba are of African descent. Both the Cuban government and analysts at the US State Department and the CIA agree on a number around 63%. A much smaller percentage of Cubans abroad are of African descent. In Miami, some estimate that over 97% of Cubans are of Spanish origin. At the very least, 85% of them describe themselves as being white in a recent survey. In New Jersey, there are more AfroCubans among the Cuban exiles there.

The very term Spanish Cuban tends to hide the fact that Spaniards themselves have a strong African heritage, the result of being next to North Africa and receiving African culture over the millenia, including the 8 centuries the Moors occupied southern Spain, from 710 AD to 1492 AD. This gives rise to a famous quote from Simon Bolivar, himself a mulatto who was often held in contempt by "pure blooded" Spaniards: "We are no longer European just as Spain is no longer European, because of its African blood, character and institutions."

Cuba also has a Chinese community, centered around Havana's "Barrio Chino." Many Chinese were brought into Cuba towards the end of the last century as it became more difficult to kidnap and import Africans.

There is a very small, but still surviving Indian community, mostly in Oriente and consisting of Taino people, related to the Taino of Puerto Rico. According to Cuban researchers working over the past 20 years, Native Cubans survived in far greater numbers to a much later date than was commonly accepted: part of the continent wide myth of the "vanishing red man". See Native Cuba.

There is also a Jewish community which has been reconnecting with Jews outside the island.

Interesting.

they have to do a survey on people from african decent who are born in spanish speakin countries and ask them of what race background do they think belong ,cause for some strange reason i met a few from different places an they all told me when i asked what race they think they are said latino ,that kinda confused me i am black but i am from trinidad an i can acknowledge the fact that my ancestors are from africa but some of these ppl have a superior way of thinkin about them that cause they speak latin they are above other black ppl from non spanish speakin countries.i dont know if this is for the majority way of thinkin but from the few i met that was the vibe they gave me .

yes, i find this very true among Domincans (of Dominican Republic). they deny their african roots. a black dominican went as far as saying that black dominicans are european mixed with indian (native american) heritage. when i questioned their skin tone, he said that living in tropical climates affected his skin tone.

on they contrary, i find that cubans dont deny their african roots. they embrace and celebrate it through their music & culture.
the large amounts of haitians in cuba (with creole being the second most spoken language after spanish in cuba, and the establishment of a "little haiti" in southern cuba) are strong and present in the cuban culture, which might somehow brought out the african pride. whilst, haitians in the dominican republic have to type of impact on the culture.

cool joonyah guess was just the few i met

Well, it all depends on who you are talking to. Back home, most people will not say that they are of African decent because of the fact that it was made a "bad thing" to accept or be, by the Spanish conquerors. They will say that they are Boricua or Spanish or Hispanic, but never African. In my household, because the African influence is so evident, we don't deny it, but if anyone were to ask me what is my ethnic background I would say that I am Puerto Rican, but I am a mixture of Taino Indian, Spanish, and Yoruba African. But, then again, most people are not educated enough about their own culture to tell you who they really are. There are exceptions to every rule though. See, I can only speak from my experiences, but back home the lighter your skin, the better your chances at advancing, or so people think, and that was what was instilled in us from past generations. It is a sad thing to say but it is history.
Personally I am proud to be a Hispanic woman with African blood running through my veins.

I think most cubans do not have a problem saying they are black because castro has made it so much easierr for them to be black in making everything equal allowing blacks to obtain the same education that the white spanish have. they also retain the yoruba culture thru their religion, I am black, w locs and for a lot of my older cuban relatives that is a issue , in cuba it is depending on what young people u talk to. i dunno it is as said though in a lot of spanish speaking countries (and I have noticed JA) the lighter you are the better.